3-Hour Whale Watch, Free Cancellation

Whale Watching Tour

★ 5.0 · 2 reviews

from $80 per person

Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 3 hours
Meeting point: Costa Ballena Explore office, Uvita
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: Costa Ballena Explore

Overview

This half-day trip with Costa Ballena Explore goes in search of whales off Uvita. The group is capped at 20 travellers. One recent guest reported seeing whales, dolphins and still having time for snorkeling on the same outing.

The morning starts at 8:20 am at a meeting point on butterfly street in Uvita, 400 meters south of the restaurant La Fogata. From there the tour moves into Parque Nacional Marino Ballena, where admission is included in your ticket. Snorkeling is part of the package, though the crew treats it as conditional: it only happens when weather and water visibility allow.

It suits most travellers, including wheelchair users, since the transport and surfaces on this route are accessible. Infants can come too, sitting on laps. The operator cautions against it for people with back problems and for pregnant travellers. At the end you are dropped at the beach, and because your park ticket stays valid for the whole day, you can stay and enjoy the beach afterward or enter and leave at any time you want.

What's Included

Included

Life jackets, snorkeling equipment

Itinerary

Meet in UvitaArrive at the meeting point on butterfly street in Uvita, 400 meters south of the restaurant La Fogata, in time for the 8:20 am start.
Enter Marino Ballena parkThe tour proceeds into Parque Nacional Marino Ballena with admission included in the tour ticket.
Whale watchingSpend the three hours of the tour watching for whales. One reviewer reported also seeing dolphins and having time for snorkeling.
Snorkeling, conditions permittingSnorkeling equipment is provided and used only when weather and water visibility allow.
Finish at the beachThe tour ends at the beach inside the park. Your admission ticket is valid for the rest of the day, so you can stay on the sand or come and go as you like.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you plan the morning, from what is provided to how the day flows.

Getting there. The meeting point is on butterfly street in Uvita, south of La Fogata restaurant, for the 8:20 am start. The listing notes it is near public transportation.
Group size. The tour carries a maximum of 20 travellers. A reviewer described the trip as well organized, with friendly staff and a great guide.
What is provided. Life jackets and snorkeling equipment are included, along with park admission. Snorkeling itself depends on the weather and water visibility, so treat it as a bonus rather than a guarantee.
Accessibility. The tour is wheelchair accessible, including the transportation and the surfaces involved. Infants must sit on laps.
After the tour. The trip ends at the beach and your park ticket is valid all day. You can stay and enjoy the beach after the tour, since you can enter and leave the park freely.
Booking confirmation. Confirmation arrives at the time of booking. Cancellations need to happen at least 24 hours before the start if you want a refund.

Common issues. Snorkeling is not guaranteed and depends on conditions on the day. The listing advises against the tour for travellers with back problems and for pregnant travellers, despite the wheelchair accessibility. Weather matters here too: if the operator cancels for poor weather, you get a different date or a full refund, but anything you cancel inside 24 hours of the start time is not refunded. With up to 20 people on the tour, do not expect a private or intimate setup.

Common Questions

What is included in the tour?

Life jackets and snorkeling equipment are included, as is admission to Parque Nacional Marino Ballena. The three-hour tour itself is covered by the price you book. Snorkeling only goes ahead when weather and water visibility allow.

Do I need to pay the park entrance fee separately?

No. Admission to Parque Nacional Marino Ballena is included with the tour. The ticket stays valid for the whole day, so you can remain on the beach afterward or re-enter the park later.

Where does the tour meet and what time?

The meeting point is on butterfly street in Uvita, 400 meters south of the restaurant La Fogata, and the start time is 8:20 am. The listing notes the spot is near public transportation.

Is the tour suitable for kids and wheelchair users?

Yes, with conditions. The listing states the tour, the transportation and the surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and infants can sit on laps. However, it is not recommended for travellers with back problems or those who are pregnant.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window, no refund is given and changes are not accepted. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

What should I bring?

The listing does not specify a packing list. Swimwear would be needed for the snorkeling if conditions allow it. Food and drink are not mentioned as included, and confirmation is received at the time of booking.